Vijayawada: Awareness rally taken out in connection with World TB Day
State TB Control officer Dr T Ramesh participating in the rally to eradicate TB in Vijayawada on Sunday
Vijayawada: State TB Control Officer and joint director of medical, health and family welfare Dr T Ramesh participated in a rally taken out in connection with the World TB Day here on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr T Ramesh said National TB Eradication Programme (NTEP) is aimed at eradicating TB in the State completely by 2025. 24 per cent of TB cases are reported from India and death rate is also very high in the country. In order to control TB, the NTEP has undertaken a number of programmes, he said.
More than ten lakh tests have been conducted to detect TB have every year through 720 Truenat and 50 CBnat centres across the State. Dr Ramesh revealed that adult BCG vaccination is being introduced this year and a survey is being conducted in 12 districts as a pilot project for the programme.
The TB patients are given nutrition kits to provide nutrition security to them. Already 95,000 such nutrition kits were distributed. Precautions are being taken to identify the TB at an early stage to start treatment. He called upon everyone to become partners in the eradication of TB.
District Leprosy, AIDS and TB control officer Dr J Usha Rani said free tests are being conducted throughout NTR district to identify TB cases. The services of Kshaya Mitras are being taken to distribute nutrition kits to the TB patients. Complimenting the partner NGOs for extending cooperation in identifying the TB at an early stage, she said their role is key for eradication of the TB.
RMO D Sobha Rani, Vasavya Mahila Mandali secretary Dr G Rashmi, DTC medical officer Dr G Gunasri, and other staff were present.
Earlier, officials of the health department, representatives of NGOs, students of Nursing, Pharma colleges, and others participated in the rally that passed through the main streets in the city and culminated in a meeting at Indian Medical Association hall. Nutrition kits were distributed to some TB patients at the meeting. Dr Pramod Chalasani, pulmonologist Dr Ravindranath and others participated.